Free Peppermint Sticks for Susie by Joannie Kay Page B

mean to me? You are the one who was late this morning, and while I probably should have waited for you, you do not know Angus MacGregor's temper. I cannot afford to lose my job, and he would have fired me. And, beast that you are to go ahead with a switching, you expect me to bare myself, which you should know is something that I cannot do. I am a chaste woman and we are not wed. It is improper for you to ask me to bare myself, and it is mean for you to insist on switching me when it was your fault I left by myself."
    "Are you through making excuses, Miss Jenny?" Alex asked quietly.
    "I'm not making excuses," she denied, her lovely green eyes filling with tears. "I am serious and would like to discuss this with you. Is that so wrong?"
    "When there is a punishment on the table it is not wise to try and talk me out of it. It appears like you are arguing to escape your due," he explained.
    "I just don't understand why you feel so strongly about this. I wish I would have waited for you this morning, but Angus MacGregor would have fired me if I was late. I have my livelihood to consider. It wasn't my fault you were late. I don't know you all that well yet, Alex. When you weren't there and it was late, I was afraid something came up with the rustlers and you couldn't make it, or even worse, that you'd changed your mind about me..." Her lower lip trembled. "I couldn't afford to lose my job, Alex. Don't you understand? I did not disobey you with disobeying you in mind; I did it because I was afraid of losing my job at the store. If Mr. MacGregor let me go I would find it impossible to get another job here in town. Mrs. Neely would have made sure of it, and if she didn't, Jeffrey would have!"
    Alex decided that Jennifer had absolutely no idea how adorable she looked standing there with her skirts pulled up to show off her pretty, lace-trimmed drawers. Her green eyes were shimmering with tears and her lower lip was trembling. The amazing thing was that some women would be using such tactics to try and dissuade him, knowing that they looked sexy as could be. Miss Jenny didn't have a clue; she was simply confused and seeking answers. How he handled this situation would have an effect on the rest of their lives.
    "Jennifer, did I not tell you that I love you and wish to marry you?" She nodded. "Do I seem like the kind of man who would say that to a woman and then simply disappear?" To her credit, she shook her head 'no', and it pleased him very much. "Thank you for admitting that. It means a lot to me, honey. The reason you are going to get a switching now is because I love you and as your future husband you are entitled to my protection. I've been a lawman for quite a few years, and I have made some enemies along the way. When I give you an order regarding your safety, I expect you to trust my judgment and obey me without question. You did not do that this morning, and that is why I am going to switch you. I want you to have something to remember in case there is ever another situation in which I have to restrict you in some way for safety reasons."
    "Don't you think that Lefty's trying to kill me is an effective enough reason?" she asked. From someone else Alex would think it a sarcastic question. From Jenny it was serious. She wanted an answer.
    "No. I think he scared you plenty, and you saw the foolishness of not obeying me. Correct?"
    "Yes, Alex. I realized how foolish I was, and I promised myself right then that I would never make that mistake again. Isn't that enough?"
    "No, honey. You disobeyed me, and the consequence for that is a switching, given by me. I want you to know that I will always give you consequences for disobedience... whether it is for a safety issue or for buying a hat I told you not to buy. I am a man who expects to be the head of his household. I will always hear your opinions and I will try to make you as happy as possible. I am not a tightwad, and would never refuse you something we can afford, but I also